Heating apparatus



July 4, 1967 w. F. JACKSON 3,329,416

HEATING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l a INVENTOR iv. 46 5 WAL-rsn FIAcKsoN BY WasmFfimmcQJ 8 mm ATTORNEYS July 4, 1967 w JACKSON 3,329,416

HEATING APPARATUS Filed Mar0h22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WALTE R F. JACKSON mi s wa ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,329,416 HEATING APPARATUS Walter F. Jackson, Clinton, N.C., assignor to Vanu Industries, Incorporated, Clinton, N.C., a corporation of West Virginia Filed Mar. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 441,745 7 Claims. (Cl. 26319) This invention relates to a heating apparatus and more particularly to a heating apparatus adapted for heating housing structures for curing tobacco and the like. This invention further contemplates a burner assembly adapted for use in such a heating apparatus.

In the prior art, apparatus for heating barns for curing tobacco leaves usually incorporate a burner assembly having a plurality of burners. Such assemblies have been found not to be entirely satisfactory, from the point of view of the cost of initial manufacture, efficiency of operation and economy of maintenance. Normally, such assemblies have numerous components which constantly are subject to malfunctioning and which consequently result in loss of efficiency and impairment in safety of operation.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide an improved heating apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved heating apparatus for housing structures for ouring tobacco leaves.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved heating apparatus particularly adapted for curing tobacco leaves which provides increased operating efficiency over comparable prior art heating apparatus.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a heating apparatus for curing tobacco leaves which utilizes a single burner member.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved heating apparatus for heating a housing structure for curing tobacco leaves, which provides an even heat distribution throughout the housing structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a heating apparatus for heating a housing structure for curing tobacco leaves, which is adapted to maintain the temperature in the structure within a predetermined range of temperatures.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a heating apparatus for tobacco curing structures, including high and low heat sources which may be selectively operated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heating apparatus for curing tobacco leaves, which is provided with a main burner assembly and a pilot burner assembly wherein the main burner assembly is operative only when the pilot burner assembly is operating.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved heating apparatus for curing tobacco leaves, having a novel burner assembly.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a burner assembly for a heating apparatus for curing tobacco leaves, which provides an increased combustion efficiency relative to comparable assemblies in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved heating apparatus for curing tobacco leaves, having a novel burner assembly, which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, efiicient in operation and economic to maintain.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons skilled in the art, from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the invention;

ice

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1, having portions thereof broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with the broad aspects of the present invention, there is provided generally a heating apparatus comprising a heat chamber, means connected to the heat chamber for distributing heated air outwardly therefrom, fuel combustion means disposed in the heat chamber having fuel supply means, and baffle means mounted in the heat chamber adjacent the fuel combustion means for spreading the flame of combustion emanating from the fuel combustion means. Preferably, the fuel combustion means is provided with outlet means for directing the flame of combustion upwardly and the bafile means is provided with a downwardly facing enlarged convex surface disposed adjacent the outlet means of the fuel combustion means for diverting the flame emanating therefrom outwardly. Also in the preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided pilot burner means disposed adjacent the outlet of the fuel combustion means, valve means disposed in the supply means for the fuel combustion means being selectively operable responsive to predetermined ambient temperatures within the housing structure and a second valve means disposed in the supply means of the fuel combustion means being selectively operable responsive to the operation of the pilot burner means.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment generally includes a heat distribution assembly 10, as best illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, which is adapted to be located in a housing structure generally indicated at 11, and a burner assembly 12, as best illustrated in FIGURE 3. The heat distribution assembly is provided with a circular wall member 13 which is supported on a plurality of leg members 14 so that the bottom edge 15 is maintained in spaced relation to the floor surface 16. The upper end of the wall member 13 is closed by a top wall 17. Vertically spaced relative to the top wall 17 is a cover or shield member 18, supported on a plurality of spacer brackets 19. The upper end of the wall member 13 is formed with a plurality of outlet ports 20 about the circumference thereof, which are provided with mounting ducts 21. Each of the mounting ducts is disposed substantially radially relative to the vertical axis of the wall member 13.

Mounted on each of the mounting duct members 21 is an elongated tubular duct member 22, which extends to a point adjacent the side walls of the housing structure, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Each of the duct members 22 is provided with a bafiie member 23 mounted on the end thereof. The duct members each include a tubular mounting member 24 which is adapted to be mounted on the end of a duct member 22, a vertical section 25 mounted on the outer end of the mounting member 24, and a horizontal section 26 having a rear edge 27 mounted on the upper edge of the section 25 and diverging side edges 28 and 29 which merge into an arcuate front edge 30. Each duct member 22 and its associated baflle member 23 is supported at its outer end on a post member 21, which is adjustable vertically. The post members each are formed with an internally threaded member 32 having a threaded member 33 threaded into the lower end thereof. It will be appreciated that by rotating the threaded member 32, the height of the duct member and bafiie member can be adjusted.

The burner assembly 12, as best illustrated in FIGURE 3, generally includes a venturi and mixer member 34, a fuel supply line 35, and a b-afile assembly 36. The venturi and mixer member is provided with a reduced neck section 37, a flaring rearward section 38, a shutter arrangement 39 mounted on the rear end of the flaring section 38, an elongated horizontal section 40, and a vertical section 41 having an outlet 42; The forward end of the unit 34 is supported on a bracket 43, mounted on the Wall member 13. The shutter arrangement 39 also includes an inlet port having the fuel supply line connected thereto. Disposed adjacent the outlet 42 of the venturi and mixer unit 34 is a pilot burner 44 mounted on a bracket 45, which is secured to the upper end of the vertical section 41 of the venturi and mixer member. The pilot burner member is provided with a fuel supply line 46, which is connected to the fuel supply line 35 of the main burner by means of a connecting member 47. The fuel supply line 46 is provided with a manual valve member 48, which controls the flow of fuel to the pilot burner.

Disposed in the fuel supply line 35 on the feed end of the connecting member 47 is a low temperature fused cut-off valve 49,'having a fuse link 50. This valve is operable to cut-off fuel supply to any part. of the burner assembly and can only be re-set if a new fuse link is installed. The fuel supply line 35 also is provided with a thermostatically controlled valve 51, a safety control valve 52, and a manual valve 53. The control valve 51 is actuated by means of a nonelectric thermostat 54, having a connecting line 55, which is adapted to be placed in any suitable location Within the housing structure. The thermostat is calibrated to the lowest and highest temperature required within the housing structure, and is operable to actuate the valve member 51 to maintain the temperature of the housing structure within a predetermined range.

The safety valve 52 is operative to remain open only when the pilot burner 44 is functioning. The control is provided by means of a thermocouple 56 which is mounted adjacent the outlet of the pilot burner 44 and is actuated by the heat produced by the pilot burner. The thermocouple 56 is connected to the safety valve member 52 by means of a suitable line 57. The valve member 52 is adapted to be set in the open position, in which it remains through the energization of an electromagnet by a small voltage generated by the pilot burner generated by the thermocouple. Whenever the flame in the pilot burner is extinguished, the small voltage generated by the thermocouple will be removed, thereby tie-energizing the electromagnet in the valve member 52, and permitting the valve to close.

The baifie member 36 is located within the wall member 13 andhas a generally circular configuration, being disposed concentric with the wall member 13. The baffle member is provided with a downwardly facing convex contact surface 58, having its center located adjacent the outlet 42 of the upper section 41. The contact surface 58 is adapted to spread or deflect the flame emanating from the vertical section 41 of the burner assembly radially outwardly. The baffie member 36 is supported on a post member 59, which extends down into the vertical section 41 and is mounted in the lower wall thereof.

In the operation of the device, either the main burner assembly can be utilized to provide a high heat source, or the pilot burner assembly may be employed independently to generate a low heat source as may sometimes be required in the curing of tobacco leaves. In initially starting the heating apparatus, the manual valve members 48 and 53 are turned to the closed positions. The thermostat dial is then turned to its lowest position. The fuse link in the safety cut-off valve .49 then is set to permit fuel to flow to the manual valve member 48 of the pilot burner. At this point, fuel is prevented from flowing to the main burner assembly by the thermostatically controlled valve 51, which is in the closed position.

The pilot burner 44 is then lit off by opening the manual valve 48 and igniting the fuel emanating from the outlet of the pilot burner. After the pilot has been burning for a short period of time, the thermostat dial is set until the thermostatically controlled valve 51 is opened to permit fuel to flow in the supply line 35 to the control valve 52. The actuating button 60 is then pressed to actuate the electromagnet in the valve which operates to hold the valve in the open position if the pilot is properly lighted and there is sufficient heat to activate the thermocouple 56. When the thermocouple 56 is actuated, a small volt age will be supplied through line 57 to the electromagnet in the control valve 52 to maintain the valve in the open position. The fuel in the supply line 35 then is permitted to flow to the burner assembly by opening the manual valve member 53. The fuel flows through the interior of the orifice and mixer member 34 through outlet 42, where it is ignited by the pilot burner 44. At this point the air shutter 39 is adjusted to permit primary air to enter the venturi and mixer unit to mix with the fuel from the supply line 35. The amount of air intake is adjusted by noting the appearance of the flame emanating from the outlet 42. Complete combustion of the mixture of fuel and air at the outlet 42 is provided by means of secondary air being dnawn through the bottom of the wall member 13. The flame emanating from the outlet 42 contacts the downwardly facing convex surface 58 of the bafile member to spread the flame radially outwardly toward the upper end of the wall member 13. Cooler lair constantly is replenished within the wall member 13 through the bottom opening, and the heated air is directed through the outlet ports 20, the heat conveying ducts 22 and through the outer ends thereof where it is diverted outwardly by means of the baffle members 23.

The wall member 13 and its top cover 17 essentially define a heat chamber which receives cooler air from the bottom thereof and conveys heated air radially outwardly through the heat distribution ducts 22.

In the event of any failure within the system, the supply of fuel to the main burner assembly will be stopped either by means of the fuse cut-off valve 49, which can only be manually re-set, or the safety valve member 52 which is operable responsive to the operation of the pilot burner 44. In the event the pilot flame is extinguished, the voltage generated by the thermocouple 56 will drop to de-energize the electromagnet in the valve member 52 and thereby cause it to close. During normal operation, however, the main burner assembly will be controlled by the thermostatically controlled valve member 51, which is operable responsive to the predetermined temperature range as set into the thermostat.

The present invention provides the advantage of having only a single burner member, which further is provided with several safety features. Maximum efficiency of the burner assembly is realized by the means provided in the primary air intake and the secondary air intake, which results in maximum combustion of the fuel mixed with primary air emanating from the outlet 42. The downwardly facing contact surface 58 of the baffle member particularly is effective in spreading the main burner flame, which produces a maximum amount of heat. The heated air from the heat chamber then is distributed throughout the housing structure by means of the radially extending duct arrangement.

Referring to FIGURE 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4, utilizing a similar heat distribution assembly, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, which includes a heat chamber 61, a burner assembly 62 and a baflle member 63. However, the embodiment further includes a modified fuel supply and control arrangement. Generally, the fuel supply means comprises an arrangement of pivotal connectors or swing elbows and conduit or pipe sections, which are connected in a manner to permit adjustment of the fuel supplymeans to accommodate curing barns of different sizes and permit the heating apparatus to be located in selected locations within the curing barns.

As seen in FIGURE 5, the fuel supply line 64 is connected to a fuse cut-oif valve 65 located adjacent to the outer wall of the curing barn. This valve is similar in construction and operation to the valve 49 described in connection with the first embodiment. The valve 65 is connected through a swing elbow 66, a rigid pipe section 67 and a swing elbow 68 to a pipe section 69, which is provided with a pilot safety control valve 70. The pilot safety control valve is similar to the valve 52 provided in the first mentioned embodiment, and is adapted to be located adjacent to the heating unit. The valve 70 also is constructed and operates in a manner similar to the valve 52. Connected to valve 70 are a pilot burner 71 supplied with fuel through a line 72 and a thermocouple mounted adjacent the pilot burner which is connected to the valve by means of a suitable electrical lead wire 73. The pipe section 69 is connected to a thermostatically controlled valve 73 located adjacent the barn wall by means of a swing elbow 74, a rigid pipe section 75 and a swing elbow 76. The valve 73 is similar in construction and operation to the valve 51 described in connection with the first mentioned embodiment. This valve is mounted in a rigid pipe section 77, which is connected to a manual cut-off valve 78 located adjacent the heating unit through a swing elbow 79, a rigid pipe section 80 and a swing elbow 81. The valve 78 is similar to valve 53 utilized in the first mentioned embodiment and is connected to the burner assembly 62 by means of a pipe section 82.

In lighting off the apparatus, the valve 73 is set at the lowest temperature of the selected temperature range. The fuse cut-off valve 65 then is opened. With the valve 65 open, the spring loaded button on the pilot safety control valve is depressed to open the valve and permit fuel to flow to the pilot burner 71. The operator then lights the pilot burner and keeps the button depressed until the heat from the pilot burner flame heats the thermocouple to supply a suflicient current in the line 73 to energize the magnet in the valve 70, which maintains the valve in the open position. After the pilot burner is functioning, the manual cut-off valve 78 can be opened to light off the burner assembly 62. As the operator leaves the barn, he can set the thermostasically controlled valve 73. Because of the location of the safety pilot valve 70 adjacent the heating unit, the operator can conveniently open the valve 70 while lighting off the pilot burner 71. Also, by locating the thermostatically controlled valve 73 adjacent the barn wall, the operator can reach through a door or other opening in the barn Wall and set the valve without entering into the heated barn.

The embodiment as described, provides shut-off for both the pilot burner and the main burner, in the event of failure of one or both of the burners. The embodiment further provides an adjustable system, as previously mentioned, which can be adjusted to accommodate curing barns of different sizes. The combination of swing elbows and elongated rigid pipe sections permits the fuel supply means to be adjusted and still permit the safety pilot .valve to be located adjacent the heating unit and the thermostatically controlled valve to be located adjacent the wall of the curing barn.

The heat distribution assembly is relatively simple in construction and can be fabricated from sheet metal or any other suitable material. The main burner assembly is provided with a minimum number of parts, thereby reducing the probability of malfunctioning of the entire system.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A heating apparatus comprising a circular Wall member providing a heat chamber, said wall member having a plurality of leg members for supporting the wall member in vertically spaced relation to a support surface and a cover member spaced from the upper edge of said wall member, a plurality of duct members extending outwardly from said wall member for conveying heated air from said chamber outwardly therefrom, horizontally disposed bafile members mounted on the upper ends of said duct members for spreading heated air emanating therefrom outwardly, means for supporting said duct and baflie members, a single orifice burner member mounted on said apparatus, said burner member including a horizontally disposed venturi and mixer section and a vertical section having an outlet opening upwardly into said heat chamber, said venturi and mixer section being disposed between the lower end of said circular wall member and said support surface and having air intakes disposed adjacent said circular wall member, a baffle member mounted on said burner member Within said heat chamber, said baflle member having a downwardly facing convex contact surface disposed adjacent the outlet of said burner member for spreading the flame of combustion from said outlet outwardly in said heat chamber and a fuel supply line connected to said burner member.

2. A heating apparatus comprising a circular Wall member providing a heat chamber, said wall member having a plurality of leg members for supporting the wall member in vertically spaced relation to a support surface and a cover member spaced from the upper edge of said wall member, a plurality of duct members extending outwardly from said wall member for conveying heated air from said chamber outwardly therefrom, horizontally disposed baflie members mounted on the upper ends of said duct members for spreading heated air emanating therefrom outwardly, means for supporting said duct and baflle members, a single orifice burner mounted on said apparatus, said burner member including a horizontally disposed venturi and mixer section and a vertical section having an outlet opening upwardly into said heat chamber, 'said venturi and mixer section being disposed between the lower end of said circular wall member and said support surface and having air intakes disposed adjacent said circular wall member, a baffle member mounted on said burner member within said heat chamber, said baffle member having a downwardly facing convex contact surface disposed adjacent the outlet of said burner member for spreading the flame of combustion from said outlet outwardly in said heat chamber, a fuel supply line connected to said burner member, a pilot burner member mounted on the vertical section of said single orifice burner member adjacent the outlet thereof and a fuel supply line connected to said pilot burner member.

3. A heating apparatus according to claim 2, including a thermostatically controlled valve mounted in the fuel supply line of said single orifice burner member.

4. A heating apparatus according to claim 3, including a control valve mounted in the fuel supply line of said single orifice burner member between the burner member and the thermostatically controlled valve being selectively operable responsive to the operation of said pilot burner member.

5. A heating apparatus comprising a heat chamber, means connected to said heat chamber for distributing heated air outwardly therefrom, fuel combustion means disposed in said heat chamber, fuel supply means for said fuel combustion means, pilot burner means mounted in said heat chamber adjacent the outlet of said combustion means, said supply means for the fuel combustion means having valve means disposed adjacent said heat chamber selectively operable responsive to the operation of said pilot burner means and manually operable, fuel supply means for said pilot burner means connected to said fuel supply means for said fuel combustion means between said valve and said fuel combustion means, said supply means for said fuel combustion means having a valve disposed remotely from said heat chamber and in series between said first mentioned valve and said fuel combustion means, selectively operable responsive to predetermined ambient temperatures and baffie means mounted in said heat chamber adjacent said fuel combustion means for spreading the flame of combustion emanating from the outlet of said fuel combustion means and said fuel supply means for the fuel combustion means comprising an adjustable system of pivotally connected rigid conduit sections.

6. A heating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the baffle means has an enlarged convex conduit surface facing the outlet of the fuel combustion means.

7. A burner assembly comprising a fuel combustion means having outlet means for directing the flame of combustion thereof upwardly, fuel supply means for said fuel combustion means, pilot burner means mounted adjacent theoutlet of said combustion means, said supply means for the fuel combustion means having valve means disposed adjacent said fuel combustion means selectively operable responsive to the operation of said pilot burner 25 means and manually operable, fuel supply means for said pilot burner means connected to said fuel supply means for said fuel combustion means between said valve and said fuel combustion means, said supply means for said fuel combustion means having a valve disposed remotely from said heat chamber and in series between said first mentioned valve and said fuel combustion means, selectively operable responsive to predetermined ambient temperatures and bafile means having a downwardly facing enlarged convex surface disposed adjacent the outlet means of said fuel combustion means for diverting the flame emanating therefrom outwardly and said fuel supply means for said fuel combustion means comprising an adjustable system of pivotally connected rigid conduit sections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,116,840 5/1938 Lloyd l587 X 2,533,092 12/1950 Chestnutt 263--19 2,560,184 7/1951 Norman 1587 2,752,144 6/1956 Oldenkamp et al. 26319 2,815,070 12/1957 Lamar 158-118 3,194,227 7/1965 Beach et al. 158-125 3,200,808 8/1965 Swift l2637 FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., Primary Examiner.

E. G. FAVORS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HEATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A CIRCULAR WALL MEMBER PROVIDING A HEAT CHAMBER, SAID WALL MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF LEG MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING THE WALL MEMBER IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION TO A SUPPORT SURFACE AND A COVER MEMBER SPACED FROM THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID WALL MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF DUCT MEMBERS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID WALL MEMBER FOR CONVEYING HEATED AIR FROM SAID CHAMBER OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BAFFLE MEMBERS MOUNTED ON THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID DUCT MEMBERS FOR SPREADING HEATED AIR EMANATING THEREFROM OUTWARDLY, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID DUCT AND BAFFLE MEMBERS, A SINGLE ORIFICE BURNER MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID APPARATUS, SAID BURNER MEMBER INCLUDING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED VENTURI AND MIXER SECTION AND A VERTICAL SECTION HAVING AN OUTLET OPENING UPWARDLY INTO SAID HEAT CHAMBER, SAID VENTURI AND MIXER SECTION BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN THE LOWER END OF SAID CIRCULAR WALL MEMBER AND SAID SUPPORT SURFACE AND HAVING AIR INTAKES DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CIRCULAR WALL MEMBER, A BAFFLE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID BURNER MEMBER WITHIN SAID HEAT CHAMBER, SAID BAFFLE MEMBER HAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING CONVEX CONTACT SURFACE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OUTLET OF SAID BURNER MEMBER FOR SPREADING THE FLAME OF COMBUSTION FROM SAID OUTLET OUTWARDLY IN SAID HEAT CHAMBER AND A FUEL SUPPLY LINE CONNECTED TO SAID BURNER MEMBER. 